Bridging Dictionary

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Welcome to the Bridging Dictionary, a dynamic prototype from MIT’s Center for Constructive Communication that identifies how words common in American political discourse are used differently across the political divide. In addition to contrasting usage by the political left and right, the dictionary identifies some less polarizing–or bridging–alternatives.

A prototype from the MIT Center for Constructive Communication.

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Term	Usage share %
illegals	98% 2%
big lie	6% 94%
censorship	93% 7%
radicals	92% 8%
gerrymandering	9% 91%
amnesty	91% 9%
woke	90% 10%
oppressed	90% 10%
energy	90% 10%
communist	89% 11%
liberalism	89% 11%
free market	89% 11%
global warming	88% 12%
socialist	88% 12%
government spending	88% 12%
leftists	88% 12%
racists	87% 13%
bureaucracy	87% 13%
liars	86% 14%
right wing	15% 85%
left wing	85% 15%
inflation	83% 17%
deportation	82% 18%
evangelical	19% 81%
liberties	81% 19%
white privilege	81% 19%
immigration	19% 81%
enemies	79% 21%
communism	78% 22%
terrorists	78% 22%
nationalism	23% 77%
education	77% 23%
unions	77% 23%
elites	77% 23%
capitalism	76% 24%
whites	76% 24%
empowered	76% 24%
critical race theory	75% 25%
ideology	75% 25%
freedom	75% 25%
deniers	26% 74%
evil	74% 26%
sacrifice	74% 26%
middle class	74% 26%
liberal	73% 27%
law and order	73% 27%
mass shooting	28% 72%
liberty	72% 28%
immigrants	71% 29%
news media	70% 30%
tyranny	70% 30%
crime	69% 31%
supporters	31% 69%
war	31% 69%
insurrection	33% 67%
policing	33% 67%
patriot	67% 33%
deep state	67% 33%
defendant	34% 66%
extremist	34% 66%
military	65% 35%
minimum wage	36% 64%
government shutdown	36% 64%
repression	64% 36%
believers	37% 63%
safeguard	63% 37%
senators	38% 62%
desperation	62% 38%
illiberal	62% 38%
independents	61% 39%
trust	61% 39%
police officer	40% 60%
grassroots	41% 59%
religious	59% 41%
border	42% 58%
authoritarian	42% 58%
undocumented	58% 42%
democracy	43% 57%
credible	43% 57%
dog whistle	57% 43%
bigotry	44% 56%
democratic	45% 55%
mob	45% 55%
secular	45% 55%
sexual assault	45% 55%
stimulus	46% 54%
culture war	46% 54%
immigrant	54% 46%
impeachment	47% 53%
domestic terrorism	53% 47%
republic	53% 47%
misinformation	52% 48%
suppress	49% 51%
rioters	49% 51%
compromise	49% 51%